SP members walk out of UP Legislative Council

An argument erupted between opposition members and agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi while he was replying to a question of SP's Vasudev Yadav during the Question Hour on steps taken by the government to double the income of farmers.

Shahi said, "The Opposition is sweating, though it is the government which is running for farmers."

When Yadav sought to know what the government was doing to improve cattle breeds, Shahi said, "The Yogi Adityanath government will improve the breeds which have been spoilt by the SP. A foreign company's help is being taken."

This angered opposition members, who termed the minister's comment "insulting" and demanded a clarification.

Leader of the Opposition Ahmed Hasan said the BJP wanted to divert attention from the main issue.

SP's Naresh Uttam said farmers were not able to realise the input cost for their produce, and the government was talking about doubling their income. Madhu Gupta of the SP asked the minister to clarify how the party spoilt cattle breeds, replying to which Shahi blamed the policies of the previous government.

He said the government would improve cattle breeds in four years.